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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Announces All Special Shapes Attending the 52nd Event

Including 16 New Special Shapes with the first-ever representation from North Macedonia and cultural icons from around the world.

Albuquerque, NM - The 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil will host the largest gathering of special shape balloons as a part of the world’s premier balloon event, October 5-13, 2024. This year’s event will include 106 special shape balloons; 16 of those shapes will make their first Balloon Fiesta appearance.

Notable new special shape balloons will share the air with the event’s first-ever pilot from North Macedonia, Borche Paunovki who will be flying the pink Gnome balloon. Météo, piloted by Alain Bard from Canada, is a “weather balloon,” featuring meteorological features. Churro, piloted by Heather Watkins is a dog-shaped balloon with Churro the dog as co-pilot. As a nod to New Mexico tradition, the new Zozobra special shape balloon is set to fly in the October events as well.

With sixteen countries represented in this year's event, one special shape in particular is bringing their culture to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Mazu, representing Taiwan (Republic of China) is shaped as the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture and traditions. Mazu will be making her appearance for the first time culturally representing her country.

Special shape hot air balloons and the pilot’s home country making their inaugural appearance at Balloon Fiesta include:

Balloon Name

Country

Macaw Red

Brazil

Macaw Blue

Brazil

Météo

Canada

Police Dog

United States of America

Barx

United States of America

Mazu

Taiwan (Republic of China)

Hunter, The Fox

Brazil

Capitao Carverna

Brazil

D-Ohtb

Germany

Frank Boy

Brazil

Turtle

Brazil

Churro

United States of America

Candy House

Brazil

The Brain

United States of America

Zozobra

United States of America

Duke City Redi Mix

United States of America

In addition to these new balloons, many Balloon Fiesta Special Shape fan favorites will also be making their return. These include Airabelle the Creamland Cow, Darth Vader, Master Yoda Balloon, Montie the Black Sheep, Allycorn, and many more.

Special shape hot air balloons and the pilot’s home country returning to Balloon Fiesta include:

Balloon Name

Country

Bud E Beaver

United States of America

Steggy

Brazil

Montie the Black Sheep

United States of America

Jota Balloon

Brazil

Hug A Bear

Belgium

Conair

United States of America

Spunky

United States of America

Tall Steve

United States of America

Darth Vader

United States of America

Kermie The Frog

United States of America

Space Cowboy

United States of America

Bella The Bulldog

United Kingdom

Carousel

United States of America

Wags

United States of America

Beagle Maximus

United States of America

Yellow Hawk

United States of America

Freedom Flight V

United States of America

Billy the Kid

United States of America

Chris P. Bacon

United States of America

IVO

United States of America

Balloonaful Sunrise

United States of America

Sushi

United States of America

Tico the Sloth

Canada

Buzzy

United States of America

Amelia Bearhart

United States of America

Ham-Let

United States of America

Tiny Fire Dog

United States of America

Off the Wall

United States of America

Puddles

United States of America

Pico

United Kingdom

Astro the Alien

United Kingdom

Allycorn

United Kingdom

Pigasus

United States of America

Baby T-Rex

United States of America

Snobird

United States of America

Bandit

United States of America

Milkyway

United States of America

Wally

United States of America

Belzebuth

France

Master Yoda Balloon

Belgium

Keystone Willy

United States of America

Humpty Dumpty

United States of America

Mango the Seahorse

United States of America

Just Fun Cat

United States of America

Buster the Bulldog

United Kingdom

Tiger

United States of America

Wes the Wolf

United Kingdom

Owlbert Eyenstein

United States of America

Frankenstein

Brazil

Gnome

North Macedonia

1 Down 8-2 Go

United States of America

Splash

United Kingdom

Lulu

United States of America

Party!

United States of America

Peg Leg Pete

United States of America

Pokey the Turtle

United States of America

Airabelle, The Creamland Cow

Canada

Betty Jean Butterfly

United States of America

Pencil Boy

United States of America

Little D

United States of America

Vampirella

Belgium

Coco The Clown

United States of America

Buzzy the Bee

United States of America

Tom Cat

United States of America

Cockoo Mag

Brazil

Cheezy

United States of America

Clown

Germany

Daz

United States of America

Mister Z

United States of America

Little Dog

Brazil

Itsy Bitsy

United States of America

Hyla the Frog

United Kingdom

Ms. Autumn

United States of America

Lindy

United States of America

Elvis Tribute Balloon

United States of America

Cutie Dink

United States of America

Lawrence Bear

United States of America

Luna Balloon

Brazil

Te Amo

United States of America

Princess Nelly

Belgium

Smokey Bear

United States of America

Jolley

United States of America

Finally, don’t forget about the remote-control (RC) balloons. Balloon Fiesta’s third annual remote-control balloon rally will feature at least 57 tethered balloons, which are scale model balloons, about 20 feet tall. These “globitos” are miniature marvels, with 14 special shapes of their own, like Dolly the Donkey, Steggy the Dino-Soar and Pengiunette.

Remote Control Special Shape “Globitos” balloons and the controller’s home country at Balloon Fiesta include:

Buscuit

United States of America

Penguinette

United States of America

Airiel

United States of America

Hotspot

United States of America

Perry A. Normal

United States of America

Peter Porker

United States of America

Baby Burd

United States of America

Dolly the Donkey

United States of America

Fred the Ladybug

United States of America

Cork the Puppy

United States of America

Steggy the Dino-Soar

United States of America

Lil Shamrock

United States of America

Bit-O-Mischief

United States of America

Muffin

United States of America

Piggy

United States of America

“My favorite part about Balloon Fiesta is seeing the enjoyment and the excitement from somebody who's experiencing Balloon Fiesta for the first time and seeing the Special Shapes, where else can you walk amongst giant toys,” says Jennifer Garcia, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Event Director.

While many of the special shapes will be flying throughout the event, Balloon Fiesta has several events featuring special shape balloons. The Special Shape Rodeo™ (morning) and Glowdeo™ (evening) events will take place on Thursday, October 10 and Friday, October 11. For more information about Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, visit https://balloonfiesta.com/.

About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil is a festival of hot air balloons that takes place in October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us on X/Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.

###

Media Notes:

New Special Shapes Pilot Card Video: https://vimeo.com/garritypr/aibfnewspecialshapes?share=copy

Full Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta News Release: https://nmnewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AIBF-2024-Special-Shapes-NR-FINAL.pdf

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© 2018-2025 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. A 501(c)(3) Organization
  • This Year's Event
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